Time flies, huh?!

Wow, time has really flown since our last post. We are so sorry it's been so long. I'm going to do my best to get you caught up on what has been going on in our lives.

In our last post, we had just covered the big ultrasound, found out all is well with Bumblebee, and we are having a boy. Well since then, our little guy has grown a ton and Allyson's belly has grown as well. We just had maternity photos done by the same photographer that captured Oliver's arrival. You can check out RHEMA photography's F*cebook page to see them. They turned out awesome and were so fun to shoot. 

(At 31 weeks...)

We had a couple rounds of 4D ultrasounds to hopefully see what our little guy looks like (pictures below). Bumblebee didn't really want to cooperate completely, but we still got some great pictures. He was continuously showing us that he is most definitely boy. It was quite funny! Allyson's parents and my parents were able to come along for the first 4D ultrasound, but for the second session it was only Allyson and I.

We were hoping once we saw him in some 4D pictures we would know what to name him, but we still haven't decided. Allyson likes one name and I like another, but who knows what he'll end up being named this point.

(First 3D/4D Ultrasound)

(Second 3D/4D Ultrasound)

In the last few months, we have had what we call our "Oliver moments". These are times when we get sad or upset because we miss Ollie. It has also been tough because at times I have a feeling of guilt enjoying or being excited about Bumblebee's arrival. We are experiencing things we didn't get to with Oliver. It has been exciting getting to have baby showers and get baby stuff, but at the same time, we are reminded on how Bumblebee's big brother isn't here and how we never got to do these sorts of things for him. We definitely have more good days than bad ones, but it has still been a challenge. Please remember Oliver this Friday, March 30th as it would have been his 1st birthday. We plan on making it a happy day and celebrating his short life which impacted many. It's hard to believe what all has happened in the last year and a half. We know now more than ever that everything that happens has a purpose. And sometimes only God knows what that purpose is...

Anyway, many people have blessed us with so many gifts and support it has been awesome! I have learned a lot about baby stuff I didn't even know existed. New products to me like a Bumbo and a Boppy! As a guy, I never thought I would be excited about owning things with these names. Also, who knew one could get excited about receiving plastic baby spoons, baby bottles, and something called a Wubbanub?! I definitely have a lot more to learn still yet, but Allyson is helping me get up to speed on all this baby stuff. A week and a half to go until Bumblebee arrives. I'll try to make sure we post more often.

Thanks for reading!

Rob (and Allyson) 

Are you ready for this...

 Get your bottle of water...maybe a snack...and get ready to settle in for a little bit because this is going to be a long post! :) I mean, I have a lot to update you on.... 

...All of us at my brother's wedding (Nov. 25)...

Alright, I'll cut to the chase--our little Oliver Junebug is going to have a little Bumblebee to look after from Heaven. That's right, we are expecting another bundle of joy. 

...Introducing Bumblebee...

We had our first ultrasound on September 9 at 8 weeks. Everything looked great...which it did with Oliver, too. So we tried not to get our hopes up too much. We were still being cautiously optimistic. Loving this baby, but still guarding our hearts. Our OB told us she isn't worried about anything and she is going to treat this as a normal pregnancy because there is no reason to think otherwise. Especially since Oliver's issues weren't something genetic that was passed from Rob and/or I. 


I had (well, still have) mixed emotions about this...we've already lost one precious baby. We can't do it again! We were strong and made it through Oliver's stuff...but I don't know that we could do it again. I don't want to find out! But we are trusting God...this is His plan and He knows what is best for us. And He got us to this point...He blessed us with this little Bumblebee. 


Anyway, we went on with life like normal. We still didn't tell many people of our exciting news except our parents, family, and close friends. Then...well, I couldn't hide it any longer. Let's just say...at about 13 weeks...people began to notice. ;) So we started telling more and more people...especially if they asked or looked at my belly with a funny/thoughtful look. 


Well, we went on November 21 for the big ultrasound. As expected, we were very nervous, excited, and scared for this appointment--especially in the days leading up to it. (In case you don't remember, it was this ultrasound that we found out Junebug didn't have any fluid and our world fell apart...) Luckily, we have wonderful family and friends who prayed for us and the appointment. By Monday, we weren't even nervous...we had a great peace about what was to come. God was holding us...and Oliver was comforting us, like he was telling us "Daddy and Momma--don't worry. God is in control and He's pretty awesome! He's not gonna let you down!" :) ...And to be honest, I was more worried about peeing my pants than anything...sorry if that's TMI! 


They finally called us back to the room and I laid down on the table. The ultrasound tech put the wand on my belly and immediately, Rob and I knew things were better than with Oliver. We could see the baby! And there was lots of fluid around it! :) After the tech made me get up to "let some out" 4 times because my bladder was 3 times the size it should be and was interfering with her "picture taking", we were able to see that the heartbeat was strong, there is a 3 vessel cord (which is normal, but unlike Oliver's), and the baby was moving all over. She measured the head, brain, abdominal cavity, and femur.  We watched the 4 chambers of the heart beating. We accounted for stomach, kidneys, and bladder--all of which looked like they should. And Bumblebee is just as active as Junebug--I love feeling the baby move!! Then, it came time for the fun part...the gender reveal! See the picture below to see if you can figure it out... 

It's pretty obvious, huh?! :)

Here are some other pictures from our ultrasound. Enjoy!

Bumblebee's Foot (So little and cute!)

Bumblebee's hand...waving hello to Momma and Daddy

Bumblebee's deep in thought...and swallowing the fluid (if we could upload the video, you could see it)

Oh, and for those of you who are wondering, our official due date is April 14 (which is Rob's birthday)--but our C-section is scheduled for April 9, 2012. :) Can't believe we are over half way...


And there is still more to say...but I will stop there for now. :) Thanks for checking in...and check back soon. Hopefully, we will be more regular again...


XOXO,
Allyson